Pain in front of knee as known as Anterior knee pain or pain above knee cap, which occurs at the front and center of the knee. Anterior knee pain is most common in overweight people. Those who have injured kneecap or fractured knee and people who play sports or exercise more often. It is more common in women than in men. Knee sleeves can be great to support your knees and if the pain persists that you should consult a doctor.
Pain in front of Knee Explanation:
Pain in the front of knee is an extremely common complaint. It may be a general ache around the front of the knee, a sharp pain, feeling of instability or swelling. A knee injury can affect ligaments, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) or tendons that surround the knee joint. There are many injuries that can cause the pain in front of knee. Some of the common front knee injuries include ACL injury, fractures, torn meniscus, runner’s knee, knee bursitis, patellar tendinitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, arthritis, osteoarthritis, dislocated kneecap and many more.
In this article, we will discover some of the more common causes of pain in front of knee. We will tell you the causes along with symptoms and treatment options including exercises, braces and natural remedies for you to have a resolution of your front kneecap pain. You can also check causes and symptoms of pain in back of leg behind knee.
Pain in front of Knee Causes:
Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common knee problems. It is a leading cause of disability and affects millions of people worldwide. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It is characterized by changes in the cartilage and bones in the knee joint. A person with arthritis may feel joint pain and stiffness. There are two types of arthritis which are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Knee arthritis can affect the joint between shin bones and thigh or the joint between the kneecap and the front of the knee. In some cases, it can affect both joints. Arthritis symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness, and redness. These symptoms depend on the type of arthritis you have.
There are two types of arthritis pain in knee which are,
a) Rheumatoid Arthritis: inflammation in the joint.
b) Osteoarthritis: degeneration of the bones.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation as well as fluid excess in the knee joints which causes pain in outer side of knee. It’s a long term systematic inflammatory disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to the destruction of the cartilage and bone within the joint. It may result in swollen, painful and warm joints which can imitate the movement of joint.
Symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis include swollen, tender, warm knee joints. Loss of appetite, fever, fatigue and joint stiffness. Symptoms often spread to hands, wrists, knees, ankle, hips, elbow and shoulder as the disease progresses.
There are treatments for rheumatoid arthritis which can help manage sharp pain in the knee cap. Treatments can be done by medication, dietary changes, home remedies and specific type of alternative.
Osteoarthritis
With osteoarthritis of the knee, few things happen. Commonly known as ‘tear and wear’ arthritis, it is by far the most common arthritis pain in the knees. Osteoarthritis is most common in the people above age 65. Break down of the cartilage, the hard slippery tissue that covers the end of bones where the joint forms cause osteoarthritis. The ‘wear and tear’ can occur many years, or can be hastened by a joint injury or infection.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include swelling, pain, stiffness and limited movement of the joint. Swelling, bone spurs and loss of flexibility can also be noticed in this type of arthritis. Symptoms may come and go and can be mild, severe and moderate.
Osteoarthritis can prevent by maintaining a healthy weight, staying strong and active, avoiding injuries and repetitive movements. Pain and anti-inflammatory medication can help to prevent this type of arthritis. Natural and alternative therapies can help to decrease the disease.
Knee Bursitis
Bursitis is caused by the inflammation of a bursa. Which is a closed fluid-filled sac that functions as a cushion to reduce friction between tissues and the body. The major bursa is located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints such as elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees. When a bursa becomes inflamed, this condition is known as ‘Bursitis’.
Symptoms of knee bursitis include:
The limited motion of the knee.
Swelling in front over and below the knee.
Redness and painful movement of the knee.
Bursitis symptoms can be relieved when sitting still.
To treat knee bursitis you can try simple steps first i.e RICE technique. Medication can also help to prevent knee problems that cause bursitis. Prop up the sore knee while resting may ease swelling. Avoiding to lie on the inflamed side of knee can ease pressure on sore points. Physiotherapy and surgeries can also help this problem. But the risk of surgery includes pain, stiffness, difficulty, and infection.
Jumper’s Knee
Patella tendonitis is located at the front of knee. It occurs when the patella tendon is overstressed which can while jumping and landing heavily. Applying extra stress to the tendon can develop tiny tears in the tissue and cause inflammation. Patellar tendonitis is common among athletes who jump and land with force. Its common name is the jumper’s knee. Jumper’s knee can cause severe, mild or moderate pain in front of knee.
The main symptoms of jumper’s knee are pain and tenderness below the kneecap. Tendon feels stiff often in the morning. The pain usually starts after exercise which can increase discomfort. Pain can be worse with jumping, landing, or running activity.
Treatment depends on the severity of your injury. Applying ice to the area help to treat symptoms patellar tendonitis. A person will need to rest the affected leg and take anti-inflammatory medication. Physical therapy can help to gradually restore movement as the injury heals. A complete tear may require surgery. Stretching and strengthening exercises can keep your kneecap in place.
